A TALENTED schoolgirl has proved she’s made of the “write” stuff by earning praise for her award-winning essay.

Alana Turnbull, 14, focussed on the plight of teenagers who struggle with their body image, as well as the role played by the media in promoting a celebrity culture, as she submitted an entry for The Ryan McKay prize.

Entrants were challenged to use the theme “In Pursuit of Happiness” for this year’s contest and Alana’s essay caught the eye of judges for her open and honest depiction of the way the media can influence how young people view themselves. Alana, a pupil at Gleniffer High in Paisley, highlighted how people can often be pigeon-holed by the media, depending on what they look like.

She told the Paisley Daily Express: “I really enjoy writing and I am very interested in journalism.

“I feel very strongly about the way the media, as a whole, has a negative effect on young people and this fitted perfectly for my essay title.

“Media outlets have to take some responsibility for the problems today’s youth face, especially the dangers of body image.

“I am overwhelmed that I have won the competition. To be recognised for this essay is wonderful.”

Alana scooped £1,000 and a certificate for her winning essay. The Ryan McKay prize is organised by The Priory Group and is awarded each year to a young person aged between 13 and 18 who submits the best non-fiction essay on a topic related to mental and physical health.

It is named in honour of Ryan McKay, who was successfully treated at the Priory Hospital in Glasgow for an eating disorder but tragically died in a car accident in August 2007.

His parents Mandy and Robert, who live in Buckie, Moray, set up the competition to raise awareness of positive mental and physical health among young people.

Marco Bannerman, hospital director at The Priory Group, said: “Alana’s informative and personal essay was outstanding. She really adhered to this year’s title and backed up her theories really well.

“This is a wonderful way to remember Ryan, who received treatment in The Priory, and we are grateful to his parents for their support.”

Mr McKay added: “This academic prize is a fitting way to remember our son and to help other young people who may be suffering an eating disorder in the same way he did.

“Drawing on her experiences, Alana has produced an emotive piece, which was wonderfully written, and she fully deserves to win.